Let The Sparks Fly!

Things have been so slow at work, I tried to burn the place down.

Just kidding, sorta.

Wednesday morning, as I was getting ready to leave for work, I heard my cell phone beep at me, letting me know the battery was getting low. Not wanting to go to work all day with my cell phone turned off, I grabbed my charger and planned to charge my phone at work.

It's something I've done before. I plug it in under my desk, let it sit for a few hours, then when it's done, I unplug it and put it back in my purse. It doesn't take much electricity to charge a cell phone, right?

I arrived at work, took my phone and charger out of my purse, crawled under my desk and plugged it in. Because I'm in a cubicle, the outlets are at the bottom of one wall, and there's a metal plate along the bottom to cover and protect all the wiring. All of the outlets in my cubicle are not flush against the metal plate, they are a slight angle, so I know I need to be careful plugging or unplugging anything.

About 2pm, I remembered my phone was still plugged in, I checked it (battery full) unhooked my phone from the charger, and proceeded to pull out the plug from the outlet.

As I'm sure everyone does, I wiggled it ever so slightly to work it out of the slots.

Bad move.

I saw sparks.


The outlet and the metal plate were scorched.

All the electricity to my cubicle was gone.

Shorted out? Fried?

I meekly walked over to our IT department, and explained what happened. They both came over, took a look at it, and determined that I indeed had no electricity in my cubicle.

Fortunately, my computer was plugged in to a surger protector, so that was ok.

While I waited for my boss to get out of a meeting, I began cleaning out the empty cubicle next to me, expecting I'd have to move. At least until they could figure out what happened and fix it if possible.

The drawers were a mess, I tossed so much crap, pulled one drawer all the way out and dumped it upside down. I used Windex on the surface of the desk area to clean up the dust that had accumulated.

By that time my boss was out of his meeting, I explained to him what happened, he told our controller, everyone had to come and look at my desk.

I was really getting some attention now. Not exactly the kind I wanted though.

Since the cord for my surge protector was really long, they decided to set it on top of my desk, behind my monitor, and plug it in on the other side, in the empty cubicle, where there was still electricity.

They got everything plugged back in, and I was back in business. Not that I really had anything to do that afternoon, but at least I could get any emails that might come my way.

Thursday morning, one of the maintenance guys for the building checked the circuits and found out all I did was trip that particular circuit. I didn't actually fry the wiring, which I was really concerned about. With the prospects for 2009 so dismal, the last thing I wanted was to have cost money to the company that wasn't necessary or planned.

So Thursday after lunch, I unplugged everything again, and moved it all back under my desk where it was originally.

Oh, and Wednesday night I stopped at the AT&T store after work to get a new charger, because one of the prongs on mine was melted. There was no way I was going to be able to use it again. They couldn't find a new one for me to buy, but they had one with a phone that had been returned, so I got it for free.

I will NEVER charge my cell phone at work again!

American Idol Top 36 starts tonight, with the first group of 12. Three stick around, the other nine go home. Who was good enough? I think Alexis Grace was. Here's her performance of "Never Loved A Man" by Aretha Franklin.

Things a stressed woman may say at work:

1. Okay, okay! I take it back, Unf*** you.

2. You say I'm a bitch like it's a bad thing.

3. Well, this day was a total waste of make-up.

4. Well, aren't we a freakin' ray of sunshine?

5. Don't bother me, I'm living happily ever after.

6. Do I look like a people person?

7. This isn't an office. It's hell with flourescent lighting.

8. I started out with nothing and I still have most of it left.

9. Therapy is expensive. Popping bubble wrap is cheap. You choose.

10. Why don't you try practicing random acts of intelligence and senseless acts of self-control?

11. I'm not crazy. I've been in a very bad mood for 25 years.

12. Sarcasm is just one more service I offer.

13. Do they ever shut up on your planet?

14. I'm not your type, I'm not inflatable.

15. Stress is waking up screaming and realizing you haven't gone to sleep yet.

16. Back off! You're standing in my aura.

17. Don't worry, I forgot your name too.

18. I work 40 hours a week to be this poor.

19. Not all men are annoying. Some are dead.

20. Wait. I'm trying to imagine you with a personality.

21. Chaos, panic, disorder...my work here is done.

22. Ambivalent? Well, yes and no.

23. You like like sh*t. Is that the style now?

24. Earth is full. Go home.

25. Aw, did I step on your poor little itty bitty ego?

26. I'm not tense, just terribly, terribly alert.

27. A hard-on doesn't count as personal growth.

28. You are depriving some village of an idiot.

29. If a**holes could fly, this place would be an airport.

30. Look deeply into my eyes. Do you see on ounce of give-a-sh*t?

I suppose I should do a proper post, since I haven't really done one for a while now. Things have been pretty quiet around here. Work is still slow. But, I am seeing a few new orders come through, which is a good thing.

I currently have two magazines at work to read, plus a Fill-In puzzle book. I can alternate between them, and keep caught up on the blogs and emails.

Tomorrow is V-Day, just another day for me. I did get two cards in the mail. One from a very good friend and one from my aunt in California.

Tuesday night after work, I did some shopping for work clothes. I bought three new pairs of pants, all for $52.


Sunday afternoon is the big race, the Daytona 500. Yeah, I'm a NASCAR fan! Go Junior!

CDC Alert!

The Centers for Disease Control has issued a medical alert about a highly contagious, potentially dangerous virus that is transmitted orally, by hand, and even electronically. This virus is called Weary Overload Recreational Killer (WORK). If you receive WORK from your boss, any of your colleagues, or anyone else via any means whatsoever, DO NOT TOUCH IT. This virus will wipe out your private life completely. If you should come into contact with WORK you should immediately leave the premises.

Take two good friends to the nearest grocery store and purchase one or both of the antidotes - Work Isolating Neutralizer Extract (WINE) and Bothersome Employer Elimination Rebooter (BEER). Take the antidotes repeatedly until WORK has been completely eliminated from your system.

Top Ten Employee Rules:

1. If at first you don't succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.

2. If you can't get your work done in the first 24 hours, work nights.

3. Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.

4. For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism.

5. Keep your boss' boss off your boss' back.

6. Success always occurs in private, and failure in full view.

7. To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research.

8. The sooner you fall behind, the more time you'll have to catch up.

9. Don't be irreplaceable; if you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted.

10. If you are good, you will be assigned all the work. If you are really good, you will get out of it.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 FoxNews.com


CENTERVILLE, Utah — The man escaped with a few cuts to his arm, but the toilet made out much worse.

Police say a man's gun fell out of its holster while he pulled up his pants after using the bathroom at a Carl's Jr. restaurant Tuesday. The gun fired when it hit the floor and shattered the commode.

A few shards of porcelain cut the man's arm, and a woman in an adjacent restroom who was frightened by the noise reported she was having chest pain. Both people were checked at the scene and released.

Police say they confiscated the 26-year-old man's firearm while they review the incident. The man had a concealed weapons permit. No charges are being filed.

I'm off trying to finish this book.

It's due back to the library tomorrow, and I haven't checked to see if I can renew it. I'm still a ways from finishing it yet, so I don't know if I'll be successful, but I'd like to try. (Plus I'm doing laundry at the same time.)

I'm such a bad blogger! I had the biggest brain fart ever and never posted my spoils from winning Dorkys' last Biz Quiz in December over at Dry As Toast.



My picture isn't nearly as great as hers, but I'll tell you all the stuff she sent me.

Aveeno Sunblock Lotion SPF 45 - Just what I need for those hot summer days!
King of Shaves Shaving Oil - I'll have to find a man to give this to, lol
Kissaholic Kissing Kit Aphrodisiac plumping lip gloss and breath mist - Just in time for V-Day!
Redken Mint Clean Shampoo - Again, will search hi and low for a man
Mini Bourjois Ultra Mascara - For those hot dates with my computer!
Pantina Gel-Liner Palette - Not sure what I'll do with this, but it's got lots of really cool darker colors
TNS Line Refine - ummm, not even sure what this is, I suppose I should Google it
Purminerals Lip Gloss Trio - for that "pouty" look
Three mini glosses to attach to my purse or phone or wherever
A necklace that I absolutely LOVE, put on right away, and have not taken off since. It's a silver heart on a silver chain. One side of the heart says "You touched my heart" and the other side says "right from the start". (Ok, I had to take it off so I could read both sides, lol)

Any men out there that are interested in the shampoo and shaving oil, let me know and I'll mail them to you.

Thank you again, Dorkys, for the wonderful items you sent me!

Yeah, it was that cold this morning.

Spring is almost here in the North and Midwest. Winter is almost over; we can see the deer wandering around now.

Some of these were part of Jeannie's post from Jan 13, but I thought these were good enough to post again.

A few thoughts to live life by:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement, starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to other's. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry, God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over-prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years time, will this matter?"

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Your job won't take care of your when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative of dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Everyone keep your fingers crossed! The weather forecast for Punxatawney, PA tomorrow is snow flurries and snow showers. Hopefully that will be enough to keep Phil from scurrying back into his hole for another 6 weeks.

Steelers 27 - Cardinals 23

Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Steelers for winning a record 6th Super Bowl Championship.


(Go Cowboys!)

A blonde goes to her local pet store in search of an "exotic" pet.

As she looks about the store, she notices a box FULL of frogs. The sign says:

SEX FROGS
Only $20 each!
Comes with complete instructions

The girl excitedly looks around to see if anybody's watching her. She whispers softly to the man behind the counte, "I'll take one!" As the man packages the frog, he quietly says to her, "Just follow the instructions." The blonde nods, grabs the box, and is quickly on her way home. As soon as she closes the door to her apartment, she opens the instructions and reads them very carefully. She does exactly what is specified: 1. Take a shower. 2. Splash on some nice perfume. 3. Slip into a very sexy nightie. 4. Crawl into bed and place the frog down beside you, and allow the frog to do what he has been trained to do. She then quickly gets into bed with the frog and to her surprise........NOTHING happens!

The blonde is very disappointed and quite upset at this point. She re-reads the instructions and notices at the bottom of the paper it says, "If you have any problems or questions, please call the pet store." So, she calls the pet store.

The man says, "I'll be right over."

Within minutes, the man is ringing her doorbell. The blonde welcomes him in and says, "See, I've done everything according to the instructions. The damn frog just sits there!" The man...looking very concerned, picks up the frog, stares directly into it's eyes and sternly says:

"LISTEN TO ME!! I'm only going to show you how to do this ONE...MORE...TIME!!!"

Following are a bunch of pictures I took today. First up is Charlie:

He must have been mighty hungry. There was a lot of digging going on in the snow on my deck. I hadn't fed the birds in several days, so there wasn't anything for him to steal right from the feeder.

He has a nice bushy tail. The other morning I saw one running across my parking lot that had only about half a tail. Made me wonder what happened. Did another animal almost get him? Poor Charlie...

On my way back inside from some shopping, I looked up and noticed this chunk of ice hanging over the edge of our building. With temperatures into the mid 30's, it was melting and dripping onto our stoop. I just hope it doesn't start sliding off and land on someone.

Last night on the way home, I stopped at my local Tiger Direct warehouse because I saw they had LCD monitors on sale for $129.99. This particular model was listed as originally $289, so I figured saving $160 was pretty good.

Samsung is a good name and the reviews for it were all very good. It was quite easy to set up.

Here it is, all set up and working just fine. Now I don't have to deal with that honkin' CRT Monitor on my desk! That will be going to the computer recycling place very soon.

This became effective Jan 1, 2009 in all states. The National Highway Safety Council has done extensive testing on a newly designed seatbelt. Initial results show that accidents can be reduced by as much as 45% when the belt is properly installed. Correct installation is illustrated below:

(If you click on the picture, it should open up so you can see the animation.)

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Wife Of Riley for this award! I'm not sure what I did to deserve it, in fact I went back through all the previous blogs that it came from trying to find out it's meaning, so I could understand it better. Here is what I found:

This award acknowledges the values that every blogger shows in his or her effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values every day.

The rules to follow are:

1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.

2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs that are worthy of this acknowledgment. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.


15??? Really? 15??? That's like every one that follows me! So instead of listing them all out, if you follow me you are entitled to this award. I know a few of you have already received this from Becky, so I won't hold you down and force you to blog about it a second time. But it is a really cool looking award, who wouldn't want it? As for those values, I'll have to think on that a bit more.

Follow-up to my very early morning post...




I stopped by the management office on the way home, and was told my upstairs neighbors are moving out in March! I'm starting the countdown!

Wooooooooooo Hooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can ya tell I'm happy???????